Abstract: A black body for calibrating an infrared thermometer includes a cavity and is configured to float stably on a surface of a volume of liquid with the cavity in close thermal contact with the liquid and the opening exposed above the surface.

Abstract: A differential temperature sensor uses two different thermopiles each encased in its own can. The thermopiles are given a position and spatial orientation to best suit the measuring task. A connector of low thermal impedance thermally connects the cold junctions of the two thermopiles. The connector is adjusted, angled or pivoted to allow the proper relative orientation of the thermopiles. The thermopiles are placed close to the detected areas to keep the thermopile cold junctions and a detected reference area close in temperature. An automatic assembly process uses the present invention in conjunction with a photoelectric switch which confirms the presence of the subject being measured. An improved chiropractic measuring device also uses the differential sensor to accurately sense nerve damage near the spine.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining bleeding time includes a cutting assembly and a member for providing a compensation factor as a function of temperature of the subject. The cutting assembly provides an incision of predetermined dimensions for external bleeding therethrough. The compensation member measures temperature of the subject throughout the period of external bleeding and provides a compensation factor as a function of sensed temperature. The multiplicative product of measured time length of external bleeding and the compensation factor provide a normalized bleeding time of the subject.

Abstract: A radiation detector provides differential temperature readings of surface tissue. The differential readings are normalized to room temperature ambient. Green and yellow LEDs indicate a normalized temperature of less than 2.degree. C. and red LEDs indicate a normalized temperature differential of greater than 2.degree. C.

Abstract: Tympanic temperature measurements are obtained from the output of a thermopile mounted in an extension from a housing. The housing has a temperature display thereon and supports the electronics for responding to sensed radiation. The thermopile is mounted in a highly conductive can which includes a radiation guide and thermal mass. The guide provides a narrow field of view due to a fairly high emissivity. Electronics determine the target temperature as a function of the temperature of the hot junction of the thermopile determined from the cold junction temperature and a thermopile coefficient. The tympanic temperature is adjusted to provide an indication of core temperature.

Abstract: Tympanic temperature measurements are obtained from the output of a thermopile mounted in an extension from a housing. The housing has a temperature display thereon and supports the electronics for responding to sensed radiation. A disposable plastic sheet taken from a tape of such sheets stretches over the end of the extension between side posts. The thermopile is mounted in a highly conductive thermal mass which includes a waveguide tube. A low conductivity gaseous environment surrounding the thermopile extends through the tube. The electronics include an EEPROM in which both calibration and characterization information may be stored during a calibration procedure through an optical coupling. A capacitor and transistor associated with a switch form a simple watchdog circuit.

Abstract: A radiation detector with temperature readout has a multicolored LED display divided into segments of zero degrees to 9 degrees centigrade colored green, 10 degrees to 19 degrees centigrade in yellow, and 20 degrees to 100 degrees centigrade in red. Alternatively, two red segments are provided for ranges of 20 degrees to 64 degrees centigrade and 65 degrees centigrade and above, respectively. The radiation detector is automatically zeroed at ambient upon use and provides a readout of temperature rise above ambient throughout a scan of a subject. In one design, only one LED for each segment of the display is illuminated at a time. An audible signal is sounded at an increasing pulse frequency as the display is illuminated from the green segment to the red segment of measured temperature rise above ambient with a constant tone for temperature rises above about 20 degrees centigrade. In an alternative design a timing circuit allows the detector to self operate for a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: A radiation detector has a dual element sensor. One sensor element detects thermal radiation of a target at the same time the second sensor element detects thermal radiation of a reference object adjacent to the target. The dual element sensor produces a signal of the difference in the sensed radiations. A remote meter displays the thermal difference and provides an indication of sensed mass of the target relative to the mass of the reference. The display is driven by a circuit which provides a fast response of the sensed thermal difference and a slow decay of the response to provide a somewhat continuous display between targets detected in a series. Alarms may be sounded in accordance with certain readings of the display. A continuously flowing, dynamic pattern of thermal differences is detected and displayed in applications of the detector to assembly line processes.

Abstract: A hand held testing surface and scale card may be used in conjunction with a radiation detector to obtain an indication of relative humidity. The scale card is provided with two sections. One section is of absorbent relatively thin material; the second section is of non-absorbent material. The absorbent section is wetted by the user just prior to detection and cooled by evaporation. A radiation detector is then able to sense a wet bulb temperature from the wetted and cooled absorbent section. The section of non-absorbent material is kept dry. From this dry section, the radiation detector senses a dry bulb temperature. Using the sensed wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures, the user calculates the relative humidity and dew point temperature from the scales provided on the card.

Abstract: A hand held radiation detector may be used for scanning of a surface from a distance to obtain a gross indication of temperature variations in the surface. The radiation detector is provided with a nosepiece having a conical cup therein which can be placed directly against a surface. The radiation sensor views the surface through the cup to obtain an accurate indication of temperature substantially independent of the emissivity of the surface. The radiation sensor and a temperature sensor are potted with high conductivity material in an insulating sleeve within the nosepiece. The nosepiece is of high conductivity material and is thermally connected to a main housing which serves as a heat sink. Temperature indications are obtained from the sensed radiation indication by means of a piecewise linear gain analog circuit.

Abstract: A hand held radiation detector is adapted for scanning the subject while a bar graph at one end of the detector is observed. The field of view of the radiation detector is variable by means of removable lens assemblies which have Fresnel lenses positioned at the focal lengths of the lenses from the radiation sensor. The lens assemblies are matched to provide the same flux density to the radiation sensor independent of the field of view. Crosshairs provided on the rear of a lens support assist in aiming the radiation detector. The time constant of the display is varied with the sensitivity of the display.

Abstract: A radiation detector includes a flat housing 14 having a radiation sensor 16 at one end thereof and a bar graph display 18 at the other end thereof. The bar graph display provides an indication of radiation sensed from a limited surface area as the sensor is scanned across an extended surface area. The width of the housing 14 is such that, when the housing is held at about arm's length in the line of sight, the width defines a field of view which approximates the field of view of the radiation sensor.

Abstract: An improved forced-liquid flow, circulatory system for removing gas entrained or dissolved in the liquid. The system includes a circulatory liquid-flow network and means for forcing the liquid to flow through the circulatory network. A by-pass line is situated around the region where the lowest gas solubility in the liquid occurs in the circulatory network. Such lowest gas solubility occurs at the point of generally highest temperature and lowest pressure, as determined most precisely by Henry's Law. Gas-liquid separator means is located in the by-pass line. The separator means separates the gas from the liquid and expels the gas from the circulatory network.

Abstract: In a radiation heat loss detector, radiation from an extended surface area is detected with a sensor having a wide field of view closely matching that of an associated camera. By simultaneously photographing the surface area of interest and detecting the radiation from that same area, a clear record is provided for future use. A wide band radiation sensor is used. Compensation for environmental radiation is made by first viewing the environment with the sensor and holding the sensed signal and then subtracting that signal from the flux detected when the sensor faces the extended surface area. The date and time are also recorded on the photograph. A sonar device positioned on the camera provides a distance indication which, with a known field of view, allows for a determination of the total flux from the surface area, a determination of convective heat losses from the surface and a correction for atmospheric absorption of the radiant energy.

Abstract: An efficient, compact boiler system providing both heating water for heating an enclosed space, such as a home, and domestic hot water for washing and similar purposes, has a limited fluid capacity primary heating coil within a combustion chamber. The coil supplies heated water to a larger capacity storage boiler located directly below the primary boiler and connected to it by header pipes which themselves form a manifold into which the primary coil is connected. The storage boiler distributes the heated water through the heating system. An elongated secondary heating coil within the boiler heats the domestic hot water supply by heat transfer from the boiler water. The return header pipe discharges heated water directly into the interior loop of the secondary coil to quickly heat the domestic hot water when the burner is "on".

Abstract: A fuel injection system is disclosed for an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder and a piston operating therein to define with the cylinder head a combustion chamber wherein air is compressed while the piston is moving to one end of its stroke. The system has pressurizing means adjacent the combustion chamber which suddenly further compresses in a compression chamber a small part of the air precompressed in the combustion chamber to a substantially higher pressure and temperature than the peak pressure and temperature of air in the combustion chamber. Fuel feed means supplies fuel to the compression chamber, and nozzle means is operative to substantially confine the air in the compression chamber during its compression and to discharge the compressed air-fuel mixture as a jet into the combustion chamber.